Arab-party talks and military service complicate Eisenkot's coalition task

RTVE's Jerusalem correspondent explains why a possible parliamentary majority may not translate into a stable Israeli government.

Channel: RTVE Noticias ·

SpainStory of November 9, 2026Trari Newsroom

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El presidente encarga al líder opositor Eisenkot la formación de Gobierno | RTVE Noticias

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Cooperation with Arab parties or support from ultra-Orthodox factions could help Gadi Eisenkot assemble an alternative Israeli government, but neither route is straightforward, according to Spain's public broadcaster, Radiotelevisión Española, in its RTVE Noticias report.

Jerusalem correspondent Marc Campdelacreu identifies military-service conditions as an obstacle to attracting ultra-Orthodox parties. Negotiations involving Arab parties present another difficulty. The report distinguishes between having enough potential parliamentary support on paper and securing partners willing to govern together.

President Isaac Herzog has asked Eisenkot, the opposition leader and former military chief, to attempt to form a government. The broadcaster reports that Benjamin Netanyahu won the legislative election but did not secure a parliamentary majority.

Campdelacreu says Eisenkot has 28 days to reach a coalition agreement, with a possible two-week extension. If that effort fails, the report says the mandate would return to Netanyahu. The presidential invitation therefore creates an opportunity to replace him, rather than confirming that a replacement government is ready.

The broadcaster also describes hundreds of Israelis demonstrating under a slogan calling for change and urging parties in Eisenkot's bloc to cooperate with Arab parties.

Campdelacreu's closing distinction is between forming a government and forming one strong enough to avoid another election. For Eisenkot, the immediate task is not simply to gather support, but to turn a collection of possible partners into a workable coalition.

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